Mia Heaston & Dexter Benoit – Memphis, Tennessee
The First Encounter:
Mia grew up in Covington, Tennessee, and moved to Chicago, Illinois soon after graduating from the University of Memphis. At a networking event after work one day, she couldn’t help but notice the cute guy standing next to her at the bar. “His suit looked great, his teeth were perfect and he was taller than me in heels,” she says. They exchanged business cards, and within five days, had already gone out four times. The couple had been dating for more than two years when Dex asked Mia if she could get off work a little early for a wine tasting at The Tasting Room, where the couple had gone on their first date. “As Dex and I were getting settled at the restaurant, I noticed there were three bottles of wine on the table and each bottle had a customized label,” Mia says. “The first bottle read ‘Looking for Love,’ the second bottle ‘My One and Only Love,’ and the third bottle ‘You for Me.’” After the couple was finished eating, Dex took Mia’s hand and walked her to the huge window in the corner. He told her to close her eyes and when she opened them, there was another bottle of wine in front of her labeled, ‘Spend My Life.’ Dex got down on one knee and proposed. “I almost dropped the bottle of wine, but luckily he grabbed it before it hit the floor,” Mia says.
In Preparation:
Mia knew she wanted to get married in her home state of Tennessee, so after Dex proposed, she started planning a June wedding in Memphis. The couple knew that planning a wedding from 700 miles away would be a challenge, but with the help of wedding planners Jaime Newsom and Michelle Hope from Social Butterflies, they made it happen. The first step for Mia was finding the perfect wedding gown. She spent weeks trying on dozens of dresses, but when she put on the silk Kenneth Pool gown, she knew it was the dress for her. “It had a sweetheart neckline, a beaded dropped torso, embroidered silk duchess satin tails and hundreds of Swarovski crystals,” she says. “It was truly a one of a kind and was the epitome of a dream wedding gown.” Mia also found a gown designed by Tony Bowles to wear at the reception.
The Big Day:
The couple was married at Second Baptist Church in Memphis. For her bridesmaids, Mia chose floor-length fit to flare strapless Jim Hjelm dresses. She gave each of them custom made, cushion cut earrings and drop necklaces. The groom and the groomsmen wore traditional Kenneth Cole tuxedos and Dex gave each groomsmen monogrammed, sterling silver flasks and lighter sets. Dex surprised Mia with a custom-designed ring from a Chicago jeweler. Since Dex and his family are from the Caribbean, the couple wanted to include elements of his heritage. “We decided to have an outdoor Caribbean cocktail hour with a steel band to welcome his family from Trinidad, Aruba, Jamaica, and Grenada before the reception,” Mia says. The reception was held at the Esplanade in Cordova. Guests enjoyed live music by DJ Mark Baker and made party favor photos in a classic photobooth. A beautiful ice sculpture complemented the reception décor. The couple also “jumped the broom,” an African American tradition that symbolizes a new beginning for the newlywed couple.
The Retreat:
The couple honeymooned at Taveuni Palms in Matei, Taveuni in the Fiji Islands. They enjoyed spa services, went kayaking and horseback riding, and snorkeled. “We enjoyed complete relaxation in our luxurious and secluded villa,” Mia says. “It was the best vacation ever!”
One Tip:
“Being stressed while planning you wedding is expected. Being stressed on your wedding day is unacceptable. Don’t let anyone steal your joy on your special day. Have as much fun as humanly possible and don’t sweat the small stuff.”
Acknowledgements and Special Thanks from the Heaston/Benoit Wedding
Ceremony Site:
Second Baptist Church
Memphis, TN
www.2ndmemphis.org
Wedding Photographer:
Ramblin’ Rose Photography
Kim Miller
Bartlett, TN
901.230.8872
www.ramblinrosephotography.com
Florist:
L & J Productions
Memphis, TN
901.763.2205
Reception Site:
The Esplanade
Cordova, TN
901.753.3333
www.esplanadememphis.com
Wedding Cake & Groom’s Cake:
Cakes by Mom and Me
West Memphis, AR
870.735.4646
www.cakesbymomandme.com
Rehearsal Dinner:
The Balinese Ballroom
Memphis, TN
901.522.1144
www.balineseballroom.com
Transportation:
Cline Tours
Memphis, TN
901.767.3441
www.clinetours.com
Wedding Planner:
Social Butterflies
Jaime Newsom & Michelle Hope
Memphis, TN
901.828.9321
www.sb-events.com
Favors:
The Classic Photobooth
Atlanta, GA
877.45.BOOTH
404.441.5590
www.theclassicphotobooth.com
Wedding Gown:
Priscilla of Boston Custom
Kenneth Pool Platinum
Collection Gown
630.833.5000
www.priscillaofboston.com
Bridesmaid Gowns:
Jim Hjelm Gowns
Eva’s Bridal Salon
708.422.5599
www.evasbridalofoaklawn.com
Tuxedo:
Men’s Wearhouse
Memphis, TN
901.372.9558
String Trio for Wedding Ceremony:
Beth Luscombe String Trio
Memphis, TN
901.377.7805
www.ramentertainment.com
Videographer:
Creation Studios
Donny Granger
Memphis, TN
901.283.3902
www.creationstudiosgallery.com
Live Sax and DJ Services:
DJ Mark Baker
Memphis, TN
901.650.2579
www.markbakersax.com
Reception Décor Rentals:
Classic Party Rentals
Memphis, TN
901.366.0670
www.classicpartyrentals.com
Groom’s Cigar Bar:
Wrapture Cigars
Nashville, TN
615.586.2784
www.wrapturecigars.com
Ice Sculpture:
Premier Ice
Memphis, TN
901.870.5582
www.premiericesculptures.com
Wedding Transportation for the Bride & Groom:
Limo Express
Memphis, TN
901.566.5594
www.limoexpressinc.com
Guest Accommodations:
The Westin Hotel
Memphis, TN
901.334.5900
www.westin.com/bealestreet
Wedding & Engagement Ring:
M. Geller
Chicago, IL
312.984.1041
www.mgellerdiamonds.com
Mother of the Bride Attire:
David’s Bridal
Memphis, TN
901.377.1786
www.davidsbridal.com
Honeymoon Location:
Taveuni Palms
Matei, Taveuni, Fiji
1.888.DIVE.FIJI
www.taveunipalms.com
